Hiking

NPS Photo

 

Day Hikes at Olympic

Day hikes of varying length and difficulty are found throughout the park.

Backpacking in Wilderness

Check out our Wilderness Trip Planner, watch a video about backpacking in Olympic National Park, and get ready to walk on the wild side!

Leave No Trace

Read through the Leave No Trace principles so you can help protect our wildnerness.

Ten Essentials

Be prepared! Bring the ten essentials with you on every hike.

 

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Before hiking you should know...

• Even on short hikes, be prepared for changing weather. Carry food, water, raingear and extra layers of clothing.

• Please use Leave No Trace techniques to help preserve the wilderness:
  • Use pit toilets where available. In other areas, bury waste 6-8" deep and 200 feet from water sources and campsites. Please pack out toilet paper.
  • Pack out everything you pack in including food waste and garbage.
  • Stay on trails to avoid trampling vegetation
• Do not drink water directly from streams. We recommend boiling water or using a water filter or other treatment that kills or filters giardia and cryptosporidium. Iodine tablets do not kill cryptosporidium.
• Pets are not allowed on most park trails or any wilderness beaches. This helps protect you, your pet, and wildlife. Pets on a leash (up to 6 feet long) are allowed in campgrounds, parking areas, on roads, and in the following areas:

• • Rialto Beach to Ellen Creek (0.5 mile north)
  • Kalaloch beaches
  • Spruce Railroad Trail (Lake Crescent)
  • Madison Falls Trail (Elwha Valley)
  • Peabody Creek Trail (begins at the Park Visitor Center)
  • July Creek Loop Trail (North shore of Lake Quinault)
  • Campgrounds, parking areas, and on roads
  • Learn more about the guidelines for visiting the national park with your dog on our Pets page. Remember: rules differ on neighboring national forest and state lands.

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